Ukrainian Foreign Minister: EU to keep sanctions against Russia

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko stated that the European Union's sanctions against Russia could not be lifted until Russia fulfills its part of the Minsk agreements.

"We have a consensus with European Foreign Ministers that sanctions cannot be lifted if Russia does not fulfill its part of the Minsk agreements," wrote Prystaiko on Twitter.

Prystaiko also noted that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry asked to strengthen sanctions because of the recent so-called "elections" in the Russian-annexed Crimea.

The next head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell confirmed the continuation of sanctions against Russia.

Earlier, Vadym Prystaiko participated in the ministerial meeting of the "Group of Friends of Ukraine in the EU." Ukrainian Foreign Minister informed the partners about the implementation of comprehensive reforms in Ukraine, the security situation in the Donbas, and the preparations for the Normandy Four summit.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, commenting on Prystaiko's presentation, called the plan for the conflict settlement in the Donbas "satisfactory."